It’s time to clear those shelters.
Clear The Shelters, NBCUniversal Local’s annual pet adoption and donation initiative, kicked off its 12th adoption campaign Saturday. The monthlong adoption push takes place through the end of August.
The donation initiative, meanwhile, got underway July 15 and runs though Sept. 15.
Last year’s Clear The Shelters campaign led to over 160,000 adoptions and raised more than $628,000 in donations for participating shelters and rescues — the highest fundraising total since 2020.
As the 2026 adoption campaign begins, here’s what to know about Clear The Shelters and how you can get involved:
What is Clear The Shelters?
Clear The Shelters is an annual campaign that sees NBC and Telemundo’s owned stations and affiliates team up with shelters and rescues in their communities to promote animal adoptions and help raise money for those participating locations. Since launching in 2015, Clear The Shelters has driven more than 1.3 million adoptions and raised more than $5.6 million in donations.
The 2025 campaign included over 1,700 shelters and rescues across 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam.
Longtime Clear The Shelters partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition is serving as the campaign’s presenting sponsor for the first time this year. The 2026 campaign features several other returning partners, including Greater Good Charities, WeRescue and The Black Dog.
Clear The Shelters locations near me
Check out the map below to find participating Clear The Shelters locations:
How to donate to Clear The Shelters
Donations can be made to either the general Clear The Shelters fund or to a specific participating shelter or rescue here at ClearTheSheltersFund.org.
How shelters and rescues can join Clear The Shelters
Shelters and rescues interested in joining this year’s campaign can register here.
Watch as more than 120 dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters are transported on a private flight to find forever homes.
For more information on Clear The Shelters, including participating shelters, along with details on local events and television programming, visit ClearTheShelters.com and the Spanish-language site DesocuparlosAlbergues.com. Follow Clear The Shelters on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
